No injured cavers recorded.
Three cavers from the Central Ohio Grotto went to Sawdust Pit, Pulaski County, Kentucky on June 10. The entrance drop was rigged with six wraps around a tree with a bowline securing the free end. A figure 8 knot was clipped into a bolt near the breakover and a rope pad tied to the bolt. After lengthy exploration and mapping they returned and began to ascend. The first up found the rope pad loose and retied it. When all were up the rope was untied and they found it had been chewed by an animal at the bolt knot, at the portion going to the tree and in five places where it went around the tree.
Reference: John Barnes "Near Miss in Sawdust Pit" COG Squeaks Sept. 1978.
Analysis: Even though the rigging was first class, the group was nearly done in by an animal. Perhaps it would pay to bounce on the rope before ascending to see if it has been weakened in some manner, like animal gnaw- ing or rock chopping.